CCEA A-level Maths: the four papers, grades and 2027 dates

CCEA A-level Maths: the specification

The Northern Ireland GCE Mathematics was first taught in September 2018, with the first AS and A level awards in summer 2019. The AS is 40% of the A level, and the A2 units carry some synoptic assessment that brings the AS and A2 content together. Calculators must have an iterative function and be able to compute summary statistics and access probabilities from standard distributions, and you must not have access to technology with a computer algebra system in the exam.

CCEA A-level Maths papers

Students answer every question in each paper. In the applied papers Section A is mechanics and Section B is statistics, each worth half the marks, and the statistics should be taught through a large data set. CCEA morning papers normally start at 9.15am. Dates come from CCEA's final GCE timetable; see the CCEA A-level timetable 2027. The booklet you are given is covered in our CCEA A-level Maths formula booklet guide.

Every paper is weighted 50% AO1 (use and apply standard techniques), 25% AO2 (reason, interpret and communicate) and 25% AO3 (solve problems), with a tolerance of 3%.

Worked examples in CCEA style

Pure: a stationary point

Find and classify the stationary point of y = x³ − 3x² + 2 where x > 1. Differentiate and set the gradient to zero:

The second derivative is positive, so (2, −2) is a minimum.

Applied: vertical motion

A ball is thrown straight up at 14.7 m/s. Take g = 9.8 m/s². At the top v = 0, so use v² = u² − 2gs:

The time to the top is u ÷ g = 1.5 s. State the answer as 11.0 m to 3 significant figures.

CCEA A-level Maths grades

Each CCEA Maths unit is scored on a uniform scale matching its weighting, and the four are added up. A level grades run A* to E, and the AS, which is 40% of the A level, runs A to E. The A* is awarded for a grade A overall plus at least 90% of the maximum uniform marks available on the two A2 units, so a strong A2 matters most. Below E is U. A-level grades explained covers the wider picture.

Use the daily papers as short timed mocks for CCEA A-level Maths

Four tracks line up with these papers: Algebra and Functions, Calculus, Statistics and Mechanics. Each daily paper is 8 questions and 25 to 35 marks, not a CCEA paper.

• What it covers well: functions, logarithms, trigonometry, differentiation and integration, hypothesis testing, distributions, SUVAT, forces and projectiles.
• What it does not cover: the mixed mechanics and statistics layout of the CCEA applied papers. Practise Section A and Section B in one sitting from CCEA's own papers.

Choose the track for whichever of pure, statistics or mechanics is weakest, time one paper, then try a full CCEA applied paper to practise switching between mechanics and statistics.

Exam answers

There are no official or past paper answers here. When you finish a daily paper and mark it, the answers and a worked mark scheme for that paper appear alongside it.

Common mistakes in CCEA A-level Maths

• Forgetting the constant when integrating.
• Splitting time unevenly in applied papers. Mechanics and statistics are worth 50% each.
• Using a calculator with algebra features. It is not allowed.
• Not interpreting the answer in context.

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